Upgrade the RAM on your EX470 or EX475 for the HP 3.0 Update

The news of the 3.0 update coming out for older generation MediaSmart owners is certainly good.  If you are interested in the update on your EX470 or EX475 server you had better upgrade your RAM before attempting it.  Here are some photos and videos to help you out.

In this post you can find Hi-Resolution photos of the EX470.  They may help you navigate during the upgrade or get acquainted with the inside of your server prior to attempting the upgrade.

The most popular RAM module for this upgrade can be found here.  It’s the G.SKILL 2GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Desktop Memory

This exact module can be seen in the Hi-Res shots.  I’ve installed many of them without a single problem to report.

I also have two videos that take you through the upgrade process step by step.

The original posts for these videos can be found here.  Part 1.  Part 2.

Visit the forums for any help on the process.

Popularity: 14% [?]

HP EX49x series gets a patch already

Alex over at mediasmartserver.net is reporting a patch available for owners of the EX490 and 495 series of Windows Home Server. I usually don’t do news posts on day to day happenings in the WHS world but I experienced some of these issues over the weekend.

You can see the details of my adventure in this forum post:

http://www.mediasmartserver.net/forums/viewtopic.php?f=25&t=5624

I have attached a few screenshots of my upgrade to Patch 1 and am in the process of installing new connectors on all my PC’s.  Argh, didn’t I just do his?

As reported the console was lost immediately after install and the WHS tray icon went red stating that the Media Collector on the server was different than the version on the client.

Popularity: 17% [?]

Installing Zune 4.0 on WHS

Last week on the podcast,zekan asked if it was possible to install iTunes 9 on a WHS machine, I suggested a link over at MediaSmartServer.net where  Mezo has found  out how to do it.

Here, bsieve asks if the Zune software can be installed on WHS. Dave and Chris were all into the Zune software on podcast 56 so I decided to give it a try.

Following the instructions by Mezo, I was able to get Zune 4.0.740.0 installed.

I downloaded Orca from here and installed it.  I downloaded the XP version of  Zune here and copied it to a WHS share.

Extract the zunesetuppkg-86 file, which is a 52.9 meg to a folder with the same name.  Go into that folder and open the packages folder.

Right click on Zune-x86, and if you installed Orca, you should have an option to Edit with Orca,

Here you want to select LaunchConditions and delete the conditions on the right and then save the new file.

Now RDC to that shared folder and move the complete extracted folder you created to the desktop. You must MOVE the folder to the desktop otherwise you will NOT be able to change it’s Properties, now you should have a folder that contains these files,

Right click on ZuneSetup and choose Properties and then  the Compatibility Tab and change it to run as XP. Apply.

Now you should be GOOD TO GO. Double click ZuneSetup.exe and it will install.

UPDATE: Looks like you should right click on the Zune-x86.msi in the packages folder to begin the install and bybass the warning about it needing to be on a XP system. Also if you don’t get past the zune splash screen, you should install WMP11 from this link, http://social.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/whsdevelopers/thread/e23d50e3-43d1-4007-a35f-bd30b2895986

You should change the wmfdist.exe & wmp11.exe to run as XP, and tick the box so the WHS will not reboot during the install.

 

NOTE: I installed this on my EX47x which does NOT have a sound card so I did get an error when selecting a song to play. So unless you have a USB sound card for your MSS then you should have a home build with a sound card. Also the screen resolution is not so great on the MSS, but hey, you asked for ZUNE on WHS, I delivered.

Good Luck.

John Zajdler (aka Diehard).

Popularity: 28% [?]

HP MediaSmart LX195 Home Server w/ 640GB Hard Drive $199.99 Free Shipping

Thanks to a tip from my good friend and co-host partner Chris Lux over at the Home Server Show, you can now get the HP MediaSmart LX195 for the bargain basement price of $199.  The deal is most likely a short one so you will need to act fast!

As we have discussed on the podcast before, the LX195 is a bit underpowered with the 1.6 Ghz Atom processor and only 1 GB of RAM.  It does come with a 640 GB hard drive and 4 USB ports that limit your total storage to only the physical size of each external drive.  Practically speaking, that would be around 4 to 8 TB.  The HP software is an added plus, but it doesn’t have enough juice to handle the newest 2.5 version update from HP.  But hey, it’s $200!

Popularity: 12% [?]

Installing the Subsonic Web Based Media Streamer on your MediaSmart Server

Subsonic is a free, web-based media streamer, providing ubiquitous access to your music. Use it to share your music with friends, or to listen to your own music while at work. You can stream to multiple players simultaneously, for instance to one player in your kitchen and another in your living room.

Subsonic is designed to handle very large music collections (hundreds of gigabytes). Although optimized for MP3 streaming, it works for any audio or video format that can stream over HTTP, for instance AAC and OGG. By using transcoder plug-ins, Subsonic supports on-the-fly conversion and streaming of virtually any audio format, including WMA, FLAC, APE, Musepack, WavPack, Shorten and OptimFROG.

It’s also very easy to install on HP’s MediaSmart Server running HP’s 2.5 update.

On podcast 48 we spoke a bit about mp3 streamers Subsonic & FirePlay.  Cougar from MediaSmartServer.net updated his addin here.  I’m also trying Subsonic.  They have a WAR version, this is like a ZIP or RAR compressed folder that is recognized by Tomcat and can be selected to deploy. Since you have HP’s 2.5 update installed, adding Subsonic through Tomcat is very easy.

If you don’t have Tomcat, you can also go the .EXE route or decide to install Tomcat from here.

HP decided to switch from using Jetty to Tomcat when they built the EX48x line. Tomcat runs apps for IIS much better than Jetty and does more. HP uses Tomcat & Java to run the PhotoPublisher & PhotoViewer apps also, so you get an idea of what Tomcat can do. So since it’s there, why not take advantage of it ?

Once you have Tomcat installed, here’s what to do,

Download the WAR and place it in the Software share, then remote into your MSS and look for Tomcat Manager.

You will be asked for a user name and password, use admin and leave the password blank, unless you changed it, then use what you choose, click OK. You should then get the Tomcat Manager screen. At the bottom it says WAR file to deploy in yellow, point the the Subsonic.WAR file you downloaded to the Software share.

and click deploy. If you did this right you should have,

click on start if it didn’t start, or restart it from the 

Now add the port 8089 to the exception list on the firewall settings.

That’s it, point your browser to http://myhomeserver:8089/subsonic.

I’ll be looking for more WAR apps to deploy with Tomcat, if you find one, let me know, thanks.

If your using Whiist, you can add it as a personal link.

Have fun.

John Zajdler (aka Diehard).

Popularity: 18% [?]

ioSafe Solo Fireproof/Waterproof external drive put to the test!

In this video podcast I take a look at the ioSafe Solo External Drive.  I’ve seen several reviews of this drive so I wanted to do something different.  It’s fireproof so I am going to burn it!

From ioSafe

The rugged desktop ioSafe Solo external hard drive brings disaster protection to a price range that everyone can afford. With capacities from 500GB to 1.5TB, the ioSafe Solo can safely protect precious family photo albums, music libraries and days of video memories. For business, the ioSafe Solo is a great way to protect customer databases or to secure regulated information including patient records (HIPAA, Sox, etc) or credit card information. Businesses use the Solo hard drive as a backup and storage device, no longer worrying about data loss from moving computer tapes and files offsite. Like other ioSafe products, the ioSafe Solo uses ioSafe patented technology including FloSafe air flow cooling, HydroSafe waterproof barriers and the DataCast fireproof insulation.

This video is also available on YouTube in HD.

Popularity: 22% [?]

HP Announces 2.5 update for EX47x owners, European Availability

Well, well, well.  What do we have here?  HP has thrown the bone.  Congrats EX470 and EX475 owners.  You and I will not have to lurk in the shadows in order to run the 2.5 update.  Congrats to HP as well.   This can only mean one of two things:

1. A lesson learned.

2. A well orchestrated media stunt.

Read all the details here.  I don’t know who broke the story but I saw it at mediasmartserver.net first.  Here is the meat of the story that I swiped from Alex.

We have two updates to share with our MediaSmart Server communities.

We have listened to the customer feedback on wegotserved.co.uk, mediasmartserver.net, mediasmarthome.com and other popular Windows Home Server blogs related to our recent software update availability. Based on this feedback, we are working to provide a supported path to allow customers to update all generations of their EX Series and LX Series MediaSmart Server products to the current software version.

Due to the generational differences of our platform architectures, we will not be providing the updated software as traditional downloads. Instead, we will provide complete server image DVD’s through HP support in the same manner as replacement DVD’s are provided today. We expect that there will be certain hardware limitations and/or trade-offs for the various platforms that will be detailed once the new server DVD’s are available.

Timing is tentatively scheduled in Fall 2009. We understand customers would like these updates sooner, but this timing is necessary to adequately develop and test these new software images. As we get further along in our development, we will provide an updated timetable.

We have also read the inquiries regarding European availability of the MediaSmart Server products. We are pleased to announce that our European customers can expect to see our LX and EX series products for sale in Europe. Targeted availability is Fall 2009.

We thank everyone for their continued support of the MediaSmart Server products and appreciate the continued feedback.

 

Last question.  How about those folks in Australia?  They have been asking for the MSS as well.  Throw a bone down under HP?

Popularity: 11% [?]

HP Announces the HP MediaSmart Server LX195

Hey Dave, they didn’t announce it yet.

What do you mean?  I got the email with the pretty pictures.

Umm, some e-tailer started selling it a week early.

Oh yeah?  Who?

eCost.com

But I looked there and came up empty.

Luckily, I have a screen shot because it seems they have taken it offline.

Looks like this caught HP off guard eh?

Why do you say that?

Take a look at their website.  Can you say, “Undefined?”

Yes, eCost made a boo-boo and we all get the news early.  The advertising embargo was set to May 10, 2009 but it seems eCost couldn’t wait.  This news leaked to the forums here, and here and the rest is history.

So, here is the LX195.

Popularity: 10% [?]

HP Mediasmart Server – Deals on Recertified and New!

eCost.com has AGAIN put the HP MediaSmart Server EX470 (a referb unit) on sale for $330 for the next couple of days.  If you have been waiting to enter into the Home Server space, this might be a great opportunity.  The lowest we have seen to date is $299 here in the US. 

NOTE: This unit has been HP Recertified.

The 512 MB of memory that comes with this unit is not enough.  You might consider ordering a 2 GB upgrade ($20 from Newegg.com) and the unit will rock and roll nicely.  See instructions and pictures from one of Dave’s posts here.

Here is the deal.  Click on the picture to take you there.

Shipping is about $20 depending where you live.  Your total should be around $375 delivered.

For another $125 you can get the newest version, the HP MediaSmart EX485 with the memory already upgraded to 2 GB, 250 GB of additional storage (750 total) and the newest HP software.  Shipping is free to your door!

 

Enjoy your new fun!

Remember, I search so you don’t have to!

Author: Jim Collison

Jim is an IT Manager in Omaha NE and a Windows Home Server user since January 2008.  He blogs about technology, home PC security, social networking and anything else that sounds fun on his personal technology blog at http://pcaverageguy.blogspot.com/

Popularity: 11% [?]

The Before You Build Windows Home Server Checklist

Update:  We love discussing home builds in our forums.  Check it out.

If you have recently purchased or installed your Windows Home Server you can use this checklist to go over various install issues.  If you have been running a server for a while you still might find some of this useful.  This is a long list and not every step is required to successfully setting up your Windows Home Server.  If you find errors or would like to add to this list please let me know.

A printable PDF version is available at the end of the checklist.

Read more

Popularity: 79% [?]

Next Page »